Thinking Sociologically
OUTLINE
Week 4 DURKHEIM AND SOCIOLOGY II: Looking at Social Problems
In these lectures, we continue to examine the legacy of Durkheim in sociology. Durkheim
regarded sociology as a practical science, oriented towards the identification and solution of
certain social problems. We look at how he understood modern societies, what he thought
was potentially wrong with them, and the solutions he proposed to ameliorate or do away
with such problems. Durkheim was particularly interested in what makes society work (or not
work) and in themes of cohesion, integration and solidarity. He looked at these through his
studies of work, religion and suicide. We consider here Durkheim’s notion that sociology is
the science that aids social reform and improvement.
Durkheim II (re-cap)
Explaining a problem involves looking at society: identify social facts, develop hypotheses to
explain them, test the validity of the hypothesis
Forms of solidarity
Durkheim was concerned with social glue
what holds societies together?
Forms of solidarity are social facts
They affect (or reflect) the collective conscience
The Division of Labour 1893
solidarity based around the division of labour (mechanical and organic forms)
Conscience collective
• Shared ways of thinking and feeling
• a shared morality
• the collective values and norms of a society
• a shared world view
• shared logic and conceptions of time and space
Mechanical Solidarity
Conscience collective is a restraining force, characterised by repressive laws,
homogeneity (similarity), a weak division of labour.
Societies based on locality, Clear demarcation of insiders/ outsiders
Organic solidarity
Conscience collective less powerful, morality is individual choice
Restitutive law, heterogeneity, developed division of labour
lots of differentiation, Inter-dependence
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